Scientists Finally Explain Why People Get Goose Bumps

Scientists finally explain why people get goose bumps

"Goose bumps" is a reflex that is important for animals, but not needed for humans. For a long time it remained a mystery why he did not disappear with us. Scientists have now learned that the entire "system" that is responsible for it is required to control the stem cells of the hair follicle.

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Bumps that appear on a person's skin under the influence of cold or emotional turmoil are called "goose bumps". The reflex, due to which these pimples appear and the hair stands on end, is very important for animals. In particular, it makes them look intimidating. Man does not need this reaction for survival, but it has been preserved in him during evolution. This has long remained a mystery to scientists.

A new scientific paper, published in Cell, offers an explanation for why we still get chills from time to time. The study was conducted on mice and isolated human hair follicles.

Goose bumps occurs when the muscle fibers in the hair follicle contract. This happens after they receive a signal from the autonomic nervous system. A study by researchers from Harvard University found that the cells directly responsible for the appearance of bumps on the skin have other functions. And this function is really important.

The smooth muscle cells of the hair follicles play an important role in regulating the activity of stem cells, which are essential for the regeneration of hair follicles and hair. Muscle cells are a link through which a nerve signal is transmitted to stem cells. The same nerves and muscle fibers are responsible for the appearance of "goose bumps" and for the work of stem cells.

Scientists have also found that nerves do more than just regulate stem cells. It turned out that this process takes place taking into account the ambient temperature: using this mechanism, cold weather can stimulate the work of hair follicles.